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O

Starring: Mekhi Pfifer, Josh Hartnett, Julia Stiles
Director: Tim Blake Nelson
Genre: Drama
Year: 2001
Rating: 2 / 5

They say time heals all wounds, which must be why the producers of the teen flick O finally decided to release their film - two years late. Originally completed in 1999, O, the teen adaptation of William Shakespeare's Othello, was indefinitely postponed. In the wake of the student shootings at Columbine High School in the spring of that year, it was deemed to be an insensitive move to release the film at that time. After all, O features some student-on-student violence, so the film was shelved for over two years. Looking back on the decision, my mind is understandably clouded by the passage of time. I do not understand what all the fuss was about, but, more significantly, I do not understand why a film this limited is even worth discussing.

Oden James (Mekhi Pfifer) is the star basketball player - and the only African-American - at the very private Palmetto Grove Academy. In addition to being the team Most Valuable Player, Oden is well-liked by everyone, including his adoring girlfriend Desi (Julia Stiles). College scouts are in attendance at every basketball game, especially as Oden begins leading his team to the state championship. Oden is respected by his proud coach (Martin Sheen), who views the young prodigy as his own son. Everything is going well for Oden, who seems to have it all. Of course, when you have everything, there is always someone else who wants it, too.

Hugo (Josh Hartnett) is the coach's son, largely ignored by his own father in favor the team's star player. Hugo feels he has been overlooked in his own family as well as on the basketball court, where he feels his team contributions are worthy of MVP consideration. Determined to take what he feels is rightfully his, Hugo sets in motion a plan to destroy Oden's life. Through carefully planned incidents, Hugo sets about turning the school, the team, and, ultimately, Desi against Oden. He plays on Oden's insecurities, manipulating a handful of students in his intricate - yet terribly twisted - game. Only when Oden's life has been ruined will Hugo ever feel good about himself.

The young cast in O is top-notch, including Mekhi Pfifer and Josh Hartnett (40 Days and 40 Nights), who carry the film. Most impressive is the collective presence of Pfifer, Hartnett, and Julia Stiles before their respective careers took off. Oddly, some of the film's best moments are on the basketball court, where the fast-paced action takes on a gritty realism, thanks in large part to Pfifer's performance. Unfortunately, the film is doomed by Oden's all-too-sudden willingness to abandon his own beliefs for petty jealousy. Oden, who seems to be a pillar of honesty and integrity, instantly devolves into baser human emotions with mere whispers from Hugo. This shocking affront to Oden's character cheats the audience, leaving us wondering what the fuss around O really means.

Cast:

Certification: Rated R for violence and language.
Running Time: 95 minutes.

Additional Info: Internet Movie Database
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